MSN Nurse Executive Leadership?

[EmergRN18]

Hi everyone!
I’ve been an Emergency Room nurse for almost two years now. I want to go into Nurse Leadership. I’ve actually already been accepted into a program for my Master’s in Nurse Executive Leadership which will take 3 years to complete. The problem I don’t have any nurse manager or supervisor experience. I hope to become one while I’m in grad school. Am I being a little too aggressive with my concentration as Nurse executive without any manager experience? Also, I just want to say I enjoy being a nurse right now and just want to get my Masters out of the way while I’m young and have no distractions. Please let me know what you guys think :)

[Nursie_C]

Hi,

I just finished my MSN in leadership last year. No, you don't need management experience. The program should give you the basics to sit for your NE boards, if you want to do that.

Good luck!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP: The question of if you should or should not seek this degree at this time is a good question for your program counselors. Most Master's programs in leadership are mixed with students who have management experience, those who are new to management, and those who have no experience in management. Your program might be similar and so possibly doable for a nurse without managerial work experience.

As an aside, I am personally glad I had experience prior to starting my MSN program in leadership because I think I will walk out with more knowledge otherwise. In fact, I am getting more out of my current degree due to my work experience compared to when I was in my MBA program and had no management experience at the time. However, there are others in my cohort who feel they grew too, even if it was in areas that were not new to me so you may gain growth and understanding without leadership experience.

By the way, if you are looking for a position in leadership while in school, try getting an entry level leadership position such as House Supervisor or Charge Nurse. Or obtain an entry level management position such as Assistant Nurse Manger for your start in management. Good luck! ?